‘Deviant and criminal actions’

Sen. Emmons targets human trafficking with bills to crack down on offenders in Michigan

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By Staff Reports

Ionia Sentinel - Standard-Ionia, MI

By Staff Reports

Posted Feb. 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Updated Feb 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM

By Staff Reports

Posted Feb. 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Updated Feb 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM

LANSING, Mich.

Michigan Sen. Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan, announced Tuesday she will be re-introducing legislation to help stop human trafficking by strengthening the punishment for soliciting a minor to commit prostitution. Emmons made the announcement at the State Capitol during a press conference, where she and advocates from across the state wore blue ribbons to draw attention to of human trafficking and its victims.

Human trafficking is a $32 billion global criminal enterprise that devastates the lives of thousands of women and children every year, Emmons said.

“Only the illegal drug trade is more lucrative,” she added. “As a mother and grandmother, it is particularly alarming to me that two of every three victims are female and 80 percent of victims exploited sexually – with 40 percent of cases involving the sexual exploitation of a child. Michigan has the chance to take a leading role in protecting our children and ending this modern-day slavery.”

Emmons’ legislation would make the solicitation of a minor age 16 or 17 to commit prostitution or other lewd or immoral act a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of not more than $10,000 or both.

“I will be re-introducing these measures to crack down on this deplorable crime by targeting the root of the problem: the individuals who solicit prostitutes,” said Emmons, who is chair of the Senate Families, Seniors and Human Services Committee. “I am committed to the fight against human trafficking and will be working with my colleagues to form a larger, comprehensive package to stop these deviant and criminal actions.”

Emmons said she has made it her mission “to send a message to the rest of the nation that Michigan does not take a back seat to such horrific crimes.

“People think that these types of crimes only happen overseas, but the really is that we have it happening in our Michigan hometowns,” Emmons said.

Michigan is a “hot-spot” for trafficking due to its border with Canada and waterways, said Emmons.

“We have seen cases of traffickers prostituting minors at our Michigan truck stops, and cases where escort services have brought young women from Detroit and Chicago and force them into prostitution in Hawaii,” she said.

Emmons applauded Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette for creating a Human Trafficking Unit, and said in March last year, the unit secured the first conviction under Michigan’s human trafficking laws that were strengthened in 2010.

“We must raise awareness that human trafficking is happening here, educate people about how to identify the crimes and ensure offenders are severely punished,” she said.

Emmons is working on spreading awareness through a brochure, “Human Trafficking 101: Know the Signs,” designed to let the community know what to look for. She also plans to host educational events this spring to gather information from experts and advocacy groups to further discuss solutions and promote awareness,” she said.

Page 2 of 2 - Visit Emmons’ website to hear a podcast of the press conference: http://www.misenategop.com/senators/Emmons.asp?District=33, and click on Podcasts.